Sports training device

ABSTRACT

A sports training device for rebounding a puck travelling on a playing surface comprising a resilient body formed of tire chips held together with adhesive. The body has a vertical side edge or face for rebounding a puck at substantially the same velocity with which the puck is shot against it.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a sports training device which can beused by hockey players to reflect back a puck shot against it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the game of hockey, it is important for a player to developthe fundamental skills of skating, shooting, passing and receiving.However, it is difficult to practice passing and receiving without thepresence of another player. Therefore, there is a need for a suitableand practical device that would allow a player to practice his puckpassing and receiving skills in isolation.

[0003] A hockey practice device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,045,issued to Hammett et al on Nov. 8, 1994. This hockey practice devicecomprises at least two support members with an elongated elastic bandplaced in tension between the support members so that a puck shotagainst the elastic band will rebound to the shooter.

[0004] There are several drawbacks associated with the Hammett device.More particularly, it is desirable that the puck rebound from the deviceat substantially the same velocity with which it is shot at the device.The elastic band rebounds the puck at a lesser velocity. In addition,the elastic band often deflects when hit with a puck at a certainvelocity and angle, with the result that the puck can pass beneath it orcan get wedged underneath it. In either instance, the practice sessionwould have to be stopped so that these problems can be rectified.Another drawback associated with the Hammett device is that there is a“dead zone” of approximately 2 inches on either side of the post wherethe puck will not rebound with sufficient speed to return to theshooter. Finally, the elastic band loses its resilience over time andhas to be replaced.

[0005] The present invention addresses these concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the invention, the puck-rebounding device is aresilient body formed of elastomer chips or strips held together withadhesive. The body has a vertical side edge or face for rebounding apuck at substantially the same velocity with which the puck is shotagainst it. In a preferred form, the body is formed of tire chips, hasan equilateral triangular or rectangular shape and has flat, paralleltop and bottom surfaces.

[0007] The benefits of having a training device comprised of aconforming mass of resilient material are numerous. There are no movingparts to be concerned with and no adjustments necessary to ensure properresilience of the device. There are no “dead zones” anywhere on the faceof the device and therefore the puck will be returned to the shooterregardless of where on the face the puck is shot.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the resilientbody forms one or more openings for receiving pins operative to securethe body to an ice surface. The openings preferably have an enlargeddiameter on the bottom surface to allow fingers to easily grasp the pinsfor removal. The pins have sharp ends for penetrating the ice to allowthe device to sit flush against the ice. Once in position, the devicecannot be easily moved. Hence, there is no possibility that the puck canget lodged beneath the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sports training device whereinthe body is an equilateral triangle.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of the sportstraining device showing one of the openings for receiving the icesecuring pin.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sports training device whereinthe body is a rectangle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the sports trainingdevice. The device 1 is comprised of a body 3 made from a moldablematerial consisting of about 91% by weight rubber chips, about 6% byweight of adhesive and about 3% by weight of dye. The overall weight ofthe device 1 is preferably about 26 Kg.

[0013] The body 3, when positioned on the ice 2 has three vertical faces4, 6 and 8. Each vertical face 4, 6 and 8 is 36 inches long and 3 incheswide. A puck can be shot against any of the faces 4, 6 and 8 and will bereflected back with a velocity substantially the same as the velocitywith which it was shot.

[0014]FIG. 2 is another preferred embodiment of the sports trainingdevice. The device 10 is comprised of a body 12 made from a moldablematerial consisting of about 91% by weight rubber chips, about 6% byweight of adhesive and about 3% by weight of dye. The overall weight ofthe device 10 is preferably about 18 Kg.

[0015] The body 12, when positioned on the ice 2 has four vertical faces14, 16, 18 and 20. Vertical faces 14 and 18 are both 36 inches long and3 inches wide. Vertical faces 16 and 20 are both 10 inches long and 3inches wide. A puck can be shot against any of the faces 14, 16, 18 and20 and will be reflected back with a velocity substantially the same asthe velocity with which it was shot.

[0016]FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view, partially cut away, of thedevice's ice securing pin arrangement. The body 3 contains one or moreopenings 22. The depth of the opening 22 is such that when a pin 26 isinserted into the opening 22 a sufficient portion of the pin 26 remainsexposed so that the pin 26 can be embedded into the surface of the ice2. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 22 has a lower portion 24 withan enlarged diameter to allow fingers to grasp the pin 26 for its easyremoval.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A sports training devicefor rebounding a puck shot against it comprising a resilient body madefrom a moldable material comprising of elastomer chips or strips andadhesive having a side surface capable of rebounding the puck with avelocity substantially the same as the velocity with which it was shot.2. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastomeris tire chips.
 3. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe body contains one or more openings for receiving pins operative tosecure the body to an ice surface. 4, A sports training device asclaimed in claim 3 wherein said openings have an enlarged diameter onthe bottom surface to allow fingers to grasp the pins for removalthereof.
 5. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein thebody is a three dimensional equilateral triangle having flat paralleltop and bottom surfaces.